Dressing For Your Body Shape

An article I was comisioned to write for a fashion brand -

So many clothes, yet nothing to wear. You throw another ill-fitting garment to the ground and gaze around you at your bedroom floor, littered with clothes that are either:

• Impossible to pair with anything else in your wardrobe;

• Ill-fitting, making you think: “Ugh” instead of “Yeah!”

• Dated!

Sound familiar?

What if, this year, we focused on shopping more consciously; choosing well-fitting pieces that suit our bodies (more on this in a minute) and instead, build a wardrobe full of practical basics, fun everyday outfits and, most importantly, clothes that flatter your body shape and make you feel good about yourself!?

Being tall myself for example, I tend to avoid rompers/playsuits and ANYTHING mini (hello camel toe!) The things I focus on instead include: patterns/colour, maxi styles, statement accessories and waist cinching belts. Why? Because I’ve learnt that vibrant colours and busy patterns attract attention to that particular part of my body that I like (legs, say), waist cinching belts create more of an hourglass figure for me and, wearing separates (T shirt with a maxi skirt for example) helps to soften my height.

WHO SUITS WHAT?

Generally speaking, most women can fit into one of the following generic body shapes:

• HOURGLASS

• PEAR-SHAPED

• INVERTED TRIANGLE

• ATHLETIC / RECTANGLE

• APPLE-SHAPED

• PETITE

• TALL

That is, ‘generally speaking’. This is NOT taking into consideration your overall proportions or height which is why it is not a definitive approach — but for beginners who are just starting out on their journey of ‘what to wear’ and ‘what not to wear’ it is a helpful starting point!

HOURGLASS

Typically, gals with an hourglass figure have a narrow waist — smaller than their hips and bust. Think Kim Kardashian and Marilyn Monroe types.

WEAR: Pencil skirts work great on you — the high waisted style will accentuate your curves and draw you in at your smallest area. As does wrap style dresses, fitted jackets/blazers and mid or high-rise pants.

*Read the entire article here.